JP2003504815A - Electromechanical connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electromechanical connector having a pair of detachably mateable contact mechanisms the housing of at least one of which includes an elastic wall to which is coupled at least one electrical contact which is either itself a magnetic member or which is coupled to a magnetic member. When the mechanisms are brought into mating proximity of one another, the magnetic member generates a force due to magnetic interaction with the other mechanism. The force causes the elastic wall to elastically yield, causing the contact to undergo an excursion into conducting relation with a corresponding contact of the other mechanism.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electromechanical connection device according to the technology clarified in the superordinate concept of claim 1.

BACKGROUND ART EP 0573471 describes a device of similar concept. In that case, instead of electrical connection via an outlet as a current supply or current connection device and a plug as a user connection device, a switching device and a tripping device for current connection are used. In this case, both devices are equipped with contact elements formed as flat contacts. By this means, the current connection from the current source to the user is obviously simpler and more secure. In the case of higher volt and / or amperage, for example 110V or 220V connections, the operating carriage of the switching device only supplies current to the contact elements when it is connected to the trip device, which is a function of the function. It provides a very high level of safety against mistakes and current accidents.

However, for low-voltage connections, planar contacts also have advantages in terms of easy switching, easy cleaning and reliable contact connection. DE296109966.7 describes low-voltage or low-voltage connections, whereby the device is operated at low voltages, for example below 24 V, or pulsed and / or control signals are applied.

By using two contact elements or, if necessary, also three contact elements, problem-free planar contacts can be produced. However, the situation becomes even more difficult if the contacts have to be formed via several contact elements. This is because, in this case, it is not guaranteed that the contact elements, which cooperate with each other, are in good contact with each other in a plane contact in a good and reliable manner.

Indeed, it has already been proposed in DE296109966.7 to provide a contact element with a compression spring, but in the case of multipole contact connections, such a connection method is relatively expensive, Moreover, it becomes easy to be disturbed.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the task of improving the electromechanical connection device of the technology mentioned at the beginning so that it can be established in a simple and more reliable manner in multipole contact connections. .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, this task is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

At least one of the two devices, that is to say the contact element of the current or data supply device or the user connection or data reading device, is arranged at least partially on the elastic wall, so that the force of the magnet is If both devices are connected to one another on the basis of this, the contact elements can each be aligned in the direction of the other device, so that an optimum planar contact connection is made.

The electromechanical connection device according to the invention can be used in various ways and in various technical areas. Preferred areas of use are low voltage (e.g., 2 volts), for example, for generating or implementing control voltages, switching pulses, or data transmission.
This is a low voltage region for transmitting a low voltage (4 V or less).

Obviously, devices which are provided exclusively or in connection with voltage or pulse transfer for data transmission are also conceivable, but in the following, for the sake of simplicity, current supply devices and user connections Only mention the device. Clearly, this way as well, transmission of audio signals is possible.

The contact elements of both devices may also be supported by elastic walls, for example a plastic membrane, in order to enhance the contact connection, for example to generate higher contact forces.

The contact elements may be arranged in the respective housing separately from the magnet member or the magnetic member, or at the same time represent the magnet member. In the latter case, a very space-saving connection is obtained.

In the simple case where precise positioning of the contact elements or the arrangement of contact elements does not pose a problem, it is sufficient if one of the members cooperating with each other on the switching contact side is formed as a magnet and the other is formed as a magnetic member. is there.

If a precise association of the different contact elements is required, the magnetically acting members of the current supply device and the user connection device, which are associated with each other, have oppositely directed polarities as magnet parts. Formed to have. In this way, precise and precisely related switching connections are made.

This connection has, in a further aspect of the invention, side-by-side magnet subsections of different polarities in each magnet section itself, these magnet subsections correspondingly having opposite polarity magnet subsections. If it is provided to cooperate with the magnet part of the other device with the part, an improvement can be achieved with regard to a reliable switching connection and the avoidance of false switching. Such an embodiment is described in principle in DE19512334C1. One of the essential benefits of this aspect is that the uncorresponding counter magnets are
A switching connection is provided which does not make a switching connection, and in particular when an operating or magnet carriage is provided in the current supply device, as described for example in EP 0573471, which is placed by the permanent magnets in the rest position, i. There is no connection.

If the contact element is cast on the elastic wall or is supported in a liquid-tight manner there, a very reliable connecting device can be produced and placed in the liquid or intrusive medium without obstruction. Alternatively, it is placed in a corresponding intrusive environment, for example a spray movement environment. Clearly, this liquid-tight arrangement is required for both devices. It is designed in such a way that if elastic walls are provided in one of both devices, the corresponding wall of the other device is formed liquid-tight within the hanging wall where the contact elements are present, if desired. It means that it should.

Advantageous further developments and aspects of the invention are apparent from the other subclaims and from the embodiments described in principle on the basis of the following drawings. To be done.

1 and 2 show a current or data supply device 1 having a housing 1a,
Four contact elements 2 formed as planar contacts are arranged in the housing 1a. It is arranged in the housing 3a of the user connection or data reading device 3 and cooperates, if necessary, with a contact element 4 formed as a planar contact to establish a connection device from the current source to the user. . At the same time, the contact element 2 is formed as a switching magnet or a magnetic switch, and at the same time the contact element 4 is formed as a trip magnet or a trip member. The contact elements 2 of the current or data supply device 1 are each independently connected via a conductor connection 5 to a current, voltage or pulse source not shown. This applies in the same way to the contact elements 4 of the user connection or data reading device 3 and thereby leads from the respective connecting conductor to the user, not shown. Contact element 4
In some cases, this connecting conductor may be omitted if is arranged directly at the user or at the current, voltage or pulse extraction point. In principle, the user connection or data read-out device 3 may be of the same construction as the current or data supply device 1 and therefore like parts are provided with the same reference numerals (exception: contact element 2, 4).

As is apparent from the enlarged view of FIG. 1, the front face 7 of the front part of the contact element 2 is flat,
It is at least approximately in the same plane as the surface of the housing 1a facing the user connection device 3. The contact element 2 is then cast onto the elastic wall 8 of the housing (possibly in the same plane as its surface). The elastic wall 8 may be made of various materials. In a simple way, for example, it is a flexible plastic like a membrane. The wall 8 surrounds the contact element 2 in a liquid-tight manner at least in the area of the front surface, or the contact element 2 is plugged there in a liquid-tight manner and the front surface 7 of its front part is laid free.

The contact elements 2 plugged or cast into the elastic wall 8 may be, for example, completely flat without curvature, if they act simultaneously with the force of a magnet. In the case of mechanically operated planar contacts, the reliable mounting of the contact surfaces is not guaranteed. For this reason, generally in the case of planar contacts according to the background of the technology, at least one of the two contact surfaces is formed to be curved, which in effect forces point contact to be avoided.

As proposed according to the invention, the contact surface acting with magnetic energy is
The contact element 2 can be completely flat and can be precisely superimposed and centered. The premise in this respect is an elastic wall 8 according to the invention, which allows a corresponding movement with axial and radial freedom of movement. Of course, in this case the elastic wall 8 need not completely surround the contact element as shown in FIG. If necessary, it is also sufficient for the elastic wall 8 to form some kind of membrane in the surface area, with which the contact element can be freely placed in the area behind it and moved more easily. In particular, the area behind the contact elements should be able to move in each direction, which results in surface contact over the entire front surface 7 of the contact element 2.

Such a planar contact is particularly advantageous for the transmission of high power values, especially high currents, since it prevents unacceptable heating by contact surfaces that are too small.

In the case of audible transmission in the lower but higher frequency range, point contact may mean a further sound quality limitation. At such frequencies, large currents flow, especially for high wattage audio wave transmissions which require correspondingly reliable contact. With the contact element 2 according to the invention, these requirements can be met, in which case the contact element can be adapted without problems with regard to the extent and treatment of the respective requirements.

In order to hold it more securely on the elastic wall 8, the contact element 2 may be provided with an enlarged portion, for example, an annular base portion 9 on the peripheral wall thereof. The same applies to the elastic wall 8, which has, for example, one or more diametrical enlargements 10, for example annular, if necessary, which ensure that the entire unit is supported on the housing 1a.

Furthermore, the contact element 2 may also be provided with a push-up restriction. This is formed in the contact element 2 by, for example, a constricted portion or a void 11 and there, for example,
A stop in the form of a ring or plate 12 is placed with a switching clearance. The plate or ring 12 is fixedly connected to the housing 1a and is connected and / or held by the wall 8.

The user connection or data reading device 3 is constructed in principle in the same manner as the current or data supply device 1. For this reason (except contact element 4),
Parts that operate in the same way are given the same reference numerals.

The user connection or data reading device 3 is mounted on the current or data supply device 1, the contact element 4 of the user connection or data reading device 3 being the contact element of the current or data supply device 1. When aligned with 2, the contact element 2 bends outwards on the elastic wall 8 and on the contact element 4 of the user-connection or data-reading device 3 and flips the contact element 4 into the elastic wall 8. Let In this way, for all contact elements a good surface contact is established in the area of their front surface 7.

In this case, the plate or the ring 12 is pushed up against the continuously moving contact elements 2 and 4, respectively, together with the rear wall, on the basis of the cavity 11 in which the plate 12 is placed with play. Acts as a department. That is, in this case, the contact elements 2 and 4 come into close contact with the rear wall of the plate 12, respectively. Generally, a lift of, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm will be sufficient to obtain a correspondingly reliable surface contact. This is the plate 1 of the contact elements 2, 4 of such dimensions.
It means that the play between 2 and the void 11 will be sufficient. The advantage of this embodiment is that the membrane will not be unnecessarily harshly used and damaged if the contact element is withdrawn or if excessive pressure is applied from the front.

In addition, in the case where the elastic wall 8 having the same structure as the wall 8 described with reference to FIG. 2 is not provided, a large number of contact elements 2 and 4 are used to maintain the best possible contact. The contact element 4 of the person connection or data reading device 3 may, in a simple embodiment, be present on a solid wall, if desired.

Obviously, in this way it is possible to create a connecting device with any number of poles and contact elements, each of which makes a sufficient contact. Examples of applications are robots, for example in the automobile industry, in which case the spraying head has to be replaced and at the same time the data must be transmitted together. In particular, in a spray-penetrable environment, the planar contact element according to the invention is particularly advantageous compared to known outlet connections. This is difficult to clean and therefore partially damaged,
Therefore, it is often unusable.

A further area of use is, for example, the combination of motor vehicles and towed vehicles, generally of 13 poles, and of the computer components and their peripherals with respect to one another, for example in a USB-BUS-system. Connection.

Another area of use is, for example, the construction of ships or boats, where problems arise with regard to the ingress of water, in particular salt water.

To avoid contacting the contact element 2 of the current or data supply device 1 with a continuous current, it is only necessary to provide a working carriage between the contact element 2 and the conductor connection. Such movements or magnetic carriages and how they work are described in EP
0573471.

In order to make a magnetic connection, for example, the contact element 2 of the current or data supply device 1 is formed as a magnet and the contact element 4 of the user connection or data reading device 3 is made of a magnetic material such as iron. ,It is enough. Nevertheless, it is clear that an inverted arrangement is still possible.

If exclusively the magnet parts are used, they are arranged such that the respective contact elements of the current or data supply device 1 and the user connection or data reading device 3 are placed with different polarities facing each other. . Similarly EP0573471 or DE
As in the case of the electromechanical connection device according to 19512334C1, the "coded" magnets 2, which correspond to maintain the correct association of the different contact elements 2, 4.
4 is provided as a contact element.

[0036]   FIG. 3 illustrates a contact element arrangement which is very space-saving.

In this case, the corresponding magnets are separated, unlike the contact elements 2 and 4 which are switching magnets or trip magnets or corresponding magnetic members at the same time, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a current or data supply device 1'with three switching magnets 2 '. Each of the switching magnets 2'is mechanically fixedly connected via three identical, circumferentially divided, ribs 14 to be made non-conductive to contact elements 20, possibly in the form of planar contacts. Has been done. All three switching magnets 2 ', together with the contact elements 20 connected via the ribs 14, are plugged into the elastic wall 8'. On the other hand, when the user connection or the data reading device 3'formed as a mirror image is placed, on the basis of the elasticity of the elastic wall 8 ', each of the three contact elements 20 of each of the magnets is connected to that of another device. Makes surface contact with the contact element. Thus, for up to three members to be in contact with each other, such surface contact is very well established.

Obviously, FIG. 3 shows three side-by-side tripping magnets 2'only as an example. If the housing is correspondingly expanded and expanded, any number of contact elements 20 can be placed in a very narrow space. In this case, it is clear that the device can be circular.

Furthermore, it is clear from FIG. 1 that the elastic wall 8 is provided with a curved portion 15 facing outwards in the area of the front face 7 on its outer circumference. This embodiment makes the liquid-tight connection even more reliable.

The same applies, in some cases, to the elastic wall 8 of the user connection or the data reading device 3.

If a large number of contact elements are to be provided in a very small space in order to obtain a connection device with a very large number of poles, the diameter of the contact elements 2, 4 will be very small, one or both devices, That is, in the current or data supply device 1 and / or the user connection or data read-out device 3, respectively, a reinforcing magnet 16 may be provided behind or on the side remote from the other device (if required, (Shown in dotted line in FIG. 1 with a corresponding expanded housing 1a shown in dotted line to further receive the magnet 16). When both devices are connected to each other, each of the strengthening magnets 16 rises in response to its magnetic force, pushing the contact elements 2, 4 from behind in the direction towards the other device. Thereby, the elastic wall 8 can easily bulge and curve forward, which results in an even more reliable planar contact connection.

The current or data supply device 1 can be installed in any device, depending on its housing 1a.
It can be attached to a fixture, wall section or other device 17. The same applies to the user connection or data reading device 3.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. This is constructed in the same way in principle as the embodiment according to FIG. For that reason, the same parts retain the same reference numbers.

In addition to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the housing 11 of the current or data supply device 1
An operating carriage is provided inside a. As already mentioned, the operating carrier 21 has already been described in EP 0573471, and will therefore be briefly touched upon below.

Obviously, in this case, the magnets 2, 4 and the contact element are arranged separately from each other. A new reference numeral "20 '" is provided for the contact element of the current or data supply device 1 and "4" for the contact element of the user connection or data reading device 3.
The magnet 2 and the wire connecting part 5 are connected to and arranged on the operating carriage 21. The operating carriage 21 is held in a stationary position by a holding magnet 22. The holding magnet 22 that may be formed on the operating carriage 21 in the housing 1a
It is arranged in the user connection or the data reading device 3. Obviously, instead of the holding magnet 22, it is possible to use a component which is ferromagnetic and thus pulls the working carriage 21 with the magnet 2 arranged above it.

Obviously, in this way no further current connection to the conductor between the conductor connection 5 and the contact element 20 'is made. First, when the user connection or the data reading device 3 is placed, the operation carriage 21 is levitated from their rest positions based on the attractive forces of the magnets 2 and 4 facing each other, against the holding force of the holding magnet 22, There is a contact between the conductor connection 5 and the contact element 20 ′, whereby a user connection or a current connection to the contact element 4 ′ of the data reading device 3 is made. Further, as for the force of the magnet between the holding magnet 22 and the magnet 2, the attractive force of the magnet 4 is stronger, and the magnets 2 and 4 do not surely protrude to the surface, but are slightly returned to their original positions and fitted (the magnet 4 is The magnet 2 should be selected in consideration of the elastic wall 8 being fitted under the cover). When the user connection or the data reading device 3 is separated,
The working carriage 21 together with the magnet 2 is again pulled by the holding magnet 22 and the working carriage 21 returns to the rest position again. With the user connection or data reading device 3 disconnected in this way, the freely usable contact element 20 'becomes dead.

The device according to the invention can be used in a particularly highly advantageous manner for current and signal transmission in mobile telephones. This should be placed in the vehicle, for example via a licensed device. In this case, a large number of contacts are required. To transmit the HF signal,
A shield must generally be provided and is commonly used in coaxial cables. The current or data supply device 1 and the user connection or data reading device 3 may be provided with corresponding connection contacts for the transfer of the HF signals.

When a large number of contact elements 4 ′ are put in for reasons of location, the magnet 4 is electrically shielded by the isolation interlayer 23, which prevents short circuits. In order to support the magnet 4 on the elastic wall 8, the magnet 4 may be provided with an annular step 4. The same applies to the magnets 2 on the moving carriage 21. Yet another solution is to provide an annular groove 25 into which the material of the working carriage 21 projects.

In order to obtain a function similar to that of the cavity 11 according to FIG. 1, ie a stop limit against the bending of the elastic wall 8, an enlargement at the rear of the contact element 4 ′ and at the transition point to the wire connection 6. 26 is provided. As is apparent, there is a gap between the enlarged portion 26 and the housing 3a. This allows the elastic wall to bend only forward with respect to this play due to the force of the magnet.

FIG. 2 shows such a contact for the current or data supply device 1,
For example, two built-in members are depicted. These are the dotted circle "27" for central coaxial placement and the dotted circle "2" for placement in the peripheral region.
8 ". Corresponding to the arrangement of the contacts 27 or 28, counter contacts and counter connecting parts (not shown) should be provided correspondingly on the user connection or data reading device 3. .

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is an enlarged view of a section taken along line I-I through the electromechanical connecting device according to the invention of FIG. 2;

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 3 is a plan view of a current or data supply device according to the present invention.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 3 is a plan view of three mechanically connecting contact elements each with a magnet.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment, which basically corresponds to the example of FIG. 1, but which additionally comprises a moving carriage.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG , ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AG, AL, AM, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CN, CR, C U, CZ, DM, DZ, EE, GD, GE, GH, GM , HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, L T, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX , NO, NZ, PL, RO, RU, SD, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, U G, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A) comprising a current or data supply connected to a current or pulse supply via a current contact, b) the current or data supply being arranged in a housing and comprising a switching magnet or a magnetic switch. A contact element, and c) a user connection or data reading device disposed in the housing electrically connectable to a user or a consumer, and d) the user connection or data reading device being pulled. As a planar contact having a detaching magnet or a magnetic tripping element and a contact element, and e) connecting a current or data supply device to a user connection or a data reading device to have a plane contact portion of the current or data supply device. Between the formed contact element and the user connection device or the data reading device, current, pulse or data is connected. An electromechanical connection device capable of carrying out the transmission of at least one of said devices (current or data supply device (1) and user connection or data reading device (3)). 4) An electromechanical connection device, characterized in that at least part of the housing (1a, 3a) belonging to it is arranged on an elastic wall (8). 2. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (2 or 4) are at their front faces in the same plane as the surface of the partially elastic wall (8). . 3. A switching magnet or magnetic switch (2) and a trip magnet or trip element (4) of a current or data supply device (1) and / or a user connection or data reading device (3). 3. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the contact elements are formed at the same time. 4. The north pole faces each other in a state where the magnetic switch (2) of the current or data supply device (1) and the trip magnet (4) of the user connection or data reading device (3) are connected to each other. 4. An electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that they face each other in a predetermined preselected pole arrangement (coding) so as to hit the south pole on the opposite side. 5. In each case each magnet (switching magnet and tripping magnet (2, 4)) has several small magnet parts with different polarities, the other of these magnet parts being connected. 5. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 4, wherein the electromechanical connecting device hits the opposite polarity magnet portion of the device. 6. The contact element (2) is at least partially cast or liquid-tightly inserted into the elastic wall (8). The electromechanical connecting device described in. 7. The electromechanical connection device according to claim 1, wherein the at least partially elastic wall (8) comprises a plastic membrane. 8. The contact element (2) arranged at least partially on the elastic wall (8) comprises a path restriction (11, 12). The electromechanical connection device according to item 1. 9. The contact element (2 and 4) is provided with one or several cavities (11) around its periphery, these cavities comprising at least one stop (12) and a housing (1). Alternatively, the electromechanical connection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the parts connected to the housing (1a and 3a) cooperate. 10. The at least partially elastic wall (8) is curved forward to form a tight ring (15) at its outer circumference. The electromechanical connection device according to the item. 11. The current or data supply device (1) and / or the user connection or data reading device (3) comprises a reinforcing magnet (16), respectively a switching magnet or a magnetic switch (2), or a tripping magnet or Being behind the magnetic tripping element (4) (with respect to the other device respectively), the size or diameter of the reinforcing magnet (16) is such that the switching magnet or the magnetic switch (2) or the tripping magnet or the magnetic tripping. 11. It corresponds to several times the number of elements (4).
The electromechanical connection device according to claim 1. 12. Up to three contact elements (20) are mechanically fixedly connected to each of the switching magnets or magnetic switches (2) and / or to each of the trip magnets or magnetic trip elements (4). The electromechanical connection device according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical connection device is provided. 13. A connection contact (27, 28) for transfer of an HF signal, connectable to a user connection or an HF contact arranged in a data reading device (3), is a current or data supply device (1). 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The electromechanical connection device according to the item. 14. The current or data supply device (1) is provided with an operating carriage (21) movable in the direction of a user connection or data read-out device (3), the contact element (2) and a conductor being provided. The connection between the connections (5) is characterized in that the transmission of current or data via the operating carriage (21) is only made when a user connection or a data reading device (3) is mounted. Item 14. The electromechanical connection device according to any one of items 1 to 13. 15. A member comprising a holding magnet or a ferromagnetic material (22) is arranged on the side of the operating carriage (21) remote from the user connection or the data reading device (3). Item 14. The electromechanical connection device according to item 14.